Railroad Crossing Warning System

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a warning system for displaying a warning message to a vehicle approaching a railroad crossing. The railroad crossing includes a railroad along which a train can travel, and a road crossing the railroad and along which the vehicle can travel. The warning system includes an identification system for identifying at least one identity characteristic (e.g. number plate, vehicle type, etc.) relating to the vehicle. A train detection system detects at least one train characteristic (e.g. presence, position, speed) relating to the train approaching the railroad crossing along the railroad. A vehicle detection system detects at least one vehicle characteristic (e.g. presence, position, speed) relating to the vehicle approaching the railroad crossing along the road. The warning system further includes a display system for displaying the warning message to the vehicle responsive to detecting both the train and vehicle characteristics.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to railroad crossing warningsystems.

BACKGROUND

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and shouldnot be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that theprior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

A railroad crossing (also called a level crossing) is a crossing of arailroad by a road. Railroad crossings are often fitted with warningdevices such as lights, bells and automatic boom gates to warn vehiclesto give way to approaching trains.

In practice, many vehicles routinely travel along the same roads whichconditions drivers to pay lesser attention to familiar surroundingsincluding the warning devices. Some drivers notice the warning devices,although fail to properly obey them. In spite of the existence of thesewarning devices, accidents at railway crossings remain a serious concernwith many accidents continuing to occur because of a failure to noticeor obey the warning devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided amethod for displaying a warning message to a vehicle approaching arailroad crossing, the railroad crossing including a railroad alongwhich a train can travel and a road crossing the railroad and alongwhich the vehicle can travel, the method including the steps of:

-   -   identifying at least one identity characteristic relating to the        vehicle;    -   detecting at least one train characteristic relating to the        train approaching the railroad crossing along the railroad;    -   detecting at least one vehicle characteristic relating to the        vehicle approaching the railroad crossing along the road;    -   displaying, on an electrical display, the warning message to the        vehicle subsequent to detecting both the train and vehicle        characteristics, the warning message relating to the identity        characteristic of the vehicle.

The identity characteristic may relate to a number plate of the vehicle.Alternatively, the identity characteristic may relate to the colorand/or type of vehicle (e.g. blue VW golf). The warning message mayrelate to the identity characteristic by being personalized to includethe identity characteristic. In this manner, the vehicle driver is moreinclined to notice and obey the personalised warning message.

The method may further include the step of determining a risk of acollision between the train and vehicle. The risk may be determinedusing the train characteristic and the vehicle characteristic. The riskmay be determined using detected or forecasted environmental (e.g.weather) conditions. The displayed warning message may be selected froma number of possible warning messages, with the severity of the warningmessages relating to the determined risk so that the vehicle driver ismore inclined to notice and obey changeable warning messages. The methodmay further involve capturing and recording images of the railroadcrossing in the event of a high risk of collision between the train andthe vehicle 4 to record either a collision or a near miss.

The displayed warning message may relate to the identity characteristicby being determined in accordance with the determined risk, in turn,determined using the identity characteristic. The risk may be determinedin accordance with a behavioral profile associated with the identitycharacteristic.

The method may include the step of storing a vehicle record in anenforcement database or sending an alarm responsive to a determinedunacceptable vehicle behaviour, the vehicle record including theidentified characteristic. The determined unacceptable behaviour mayrelate to the determined risk exceeding a predetermined risk threshold.Alternatively, the determined unacceptable behaviour may relate to thevehicle speed exceeding a speed limit. In this manner, the vehicledriver is more inclined to obey the warning message so that vehiclebehaviour is determined to be acceptable, rather than incur a fineassociated with the stored record.

The method may further include the step of sending an alarm to anemergency services facility or a railroad crossing monitoring facilityresponsive to determining that the vehicle and train have collided.

The method may further include the step of moving a vehicle impactbarrier to impede the vehicle from crossing the railroad. The method mayfurther include the step of actuating boom gates, flashing lights andbells.

The at least one train characteristic may include the presence, positionor speed of the train. The at least one vehicle characteristic mayinclude the presence, position or speed of the vehicle.

The method may further involve the step of displaying another warningmessage to the train.

The method may further include the step of transmitting the warningmessage in audio format to a radio of the vehicle. The warning messagemay be transmitted when the train is within a predetermined distance ofthe railroad crossing.

The method may further include the step of the train receiving a videostream of the railroad crossing. The video stream may be activatedresponsive to determining that the train is within a predetermineddistance of the railroad crossing.

In one embodiment, the method further involves the train capturing andrecording images of the railroad crossing responsive to detection of anobstacle by the train. The method may further involve the traindeploying one or more airbags responsive to detecting train impact withthe obstacle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda warning method for displaying a warning message to a vehicleapproaching a railroad crossing, the method including the steps of:

-   -   identifying at least one identity characteristic relating to the        vehicle; and    -   displaying the warning message to the vehicle, the warning        message relating to the identity characteristic of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda warning system for displaying a warning message to a vehicleapproaching a railroad crossing, the railroad crossing including arailroad along which a train can travel and a road crossing the railroadand along which the vehicle can travel, the system including:

-   -   identification means for identifying at least one identity        characteristic relating to the vehicle;    -   train detection means for detecting at least one train        characteristic relating to the train approaching the railroad        crossing along the railroad;    -   vehicle detection means for detecting at least one vehicle        characteristic relating to the vehicle approaching the railroad        crossing along the road;    -   display means for displaying the warning message to the vehicle        responsive to detecting both the train and vehicle        characteristics, the warning message relating to the identity        characteristic of the vehicle.

The system may further include a central controller in wired or wirelesscommunication with the identification means, the train detection means,the vehicle detection means, the display means, environmental detectionmeans, and crossing status means.

The train detection means may electrically detect the presence, positionor speed of the train. The train detection means may include trackcircuits, axle counters, or train mounted sensors. The train detectionmeans may be configured to continually transmit the position and speedof the train to the controller when the train is within a predetermineddistance of the crossing, thereby enabling the controller to dynamicallyestimate the train arrival time at the crossing.

The railroad may include multiple lines along which respective trainscan travel and the warning system may include respective train detectionmeans. Each train detection means may be able to detect the train comingfrom either direction.

The vehicle detection means may electrically detect the presence,position or speed of the vehicle. The vehicle detection means mayinclude magnetic, radar, infrared or video proximity sensing devices.The vehicle detection means may be configured to continually transmitthe position and speed of the vehicle to the controller when the vehicleis within a predetermined distance of the crossing, thereby enabling thecontroller to dynamically estimate the vehicle arrival time at thecrossing.

The road may include multiple lanes in which respective vehicles cantravel and the warning system may include respective vehicle detectionmeans. Each vehicle detection means may be able to detect the vehiclecoming from either direction.

The identification means may be configured to identify the number plateof the vehicle. The identification means may include a camera forcapturing an image of the vehicle.

The system may further include environmental detection means fordetecting environmental (e.g. weather) conditions proximal to thecrossing. The environmental detection means may detect precipitation,visibility, wind speed or road surface conditions.

The system may further include crossing status means for monitoring thestatus of the railroad crossing. The crossing status means may monitorthe status of boom gates, lights, and bells of the crossing. Thecrossing status means may further monitor the status of a moveablevehicle impact barrier which can impede the vehicle from crossing therailroad. The crossing status means may be configured to send a crossingstatus message to the controller.

The controller may include a transceiver in wired or wirelesscommunication with a license database, a vehicle registration database,an enforcement database, an emergency services facility and a railroadcrossing monitoring facility. The controller may include an internaldatabase for storing behavioral profiles associated with respectivevehicles or possible warning messages to be displayed. The controllermay be configured to send the crossing status message to the emergencyservices facility or railroad crossing monitoring facility. Thecontroller may be configured to send an alarm to the emergency servicesfacility or railroad crossing monitoring facility, responsive to adetermined unacceptable vehicle behaviour. The controller may beconfigured to determine a risk of collision between the train andvehicle, and send the risk or an alarm to the train.

The display means may include at least one electrical display fordisplaying the warning message. The controller may be configured todisplay something other than the warning message (e.g. advertisement)responsive to the train detection means detecting the absence of thetrain.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda warning system for displaying a warning message to a vehicleapproaching a railroad crossing, the system including:

-   -   identification means for identifying at least one identity        characteristic relating to the vehicle; and    -   display means for displaying the warning message to the vehicle,        the warning message relating to the identity characteristic of        the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for displaying a warning message to at least one moving object,the method including the steps of:

-   -   detecting at least one first moving object characteristic        relating to a first moving object;    -   detecting at least one second moving object characteristic        relating to a second moving object;    -   determining a risk of a collision between the first and second        moving objects; and    -   displaying, on an electrical display, the warning message to at        least one of the moving objects, the warning message relating to        the determined risk of a collision and being one of a number of        possible warning messages.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for displaying a warning message to at least one moving object,the method including the steps of:

-   -   determining a risk of a collision between first and second        moving objects; and    -   displaying, on an electrical display, the warning message to at        least one of the moving objects, the warning message relating to        the determined risk of a collision and being one of a number of        possible warning messages.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda warning system for displaying a warning message to at least one movingobject, the system including:

-   -   first moving object detection means for detecting at least one        first moving object characteristic relating to a first moving        object;    -   second moving object detection means for detecting at least one        second moving object characteristic relating to a second moving        object;    -   risk determination means for determining a risk of a collision        between the first and second moving objects; and    -   display means for displaying the warning message to at least one        of the moving objects, the warning message relating to the        determined risk of a collision.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda warning system for displaying a warning message to at least one movingobject, the system including:

-   -   risk determination means for determining a risk of a collision        between first and second moving objects; and    -   display means for displaying the warning message to at least one        of the moving objects, the warning message relating to the        determined risk of a collision and being one of a number of        possible warning messages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may bediscerned from the following Detailed Description which providessufficient characteristic for those skilled in the art to perform theinvention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limitingthe scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. TheDetailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings asfollows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a warning system for displaying awarning message to a vehicle approaching a railroad crossing inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for a method of displaying a warning message to avehicle approaching the railroad crossing of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided awarning system 2 shown in FIG. 1 for displaying a warning message to avehicle 4 approaching a railroad crossing 6. The railroad crossing 6includes a railroad 8 along which a train 10 can travel, and a road 12crossing the railroad 8 and along which the vehicle 4 can travel.

The warning system 2 includes an identification system 14 foridentifying at least one identity characteristic (e.g. number plate,vehicle type, etc.) relating to the vehicle 4. A train detection system16 detects at least one train characteristic (e.g. presence, position,speed) relating to the train 10 approaching the railroad crossing 6along the railroad 8. A vehicle detection system 18 detects at least onevehicle characteristic (e.g. presence, position, speed) relating to thevehicle 4 approaching the railroad crossing 6 along the road 12. Thewarning system 2 further includes a display system 20 for displaying thewarning message to the vehicle 4 responsive to detecting both the trainand vehicle characteristics. The warning message relates to the identitycharacteristic of the vehicle. A detailed description of the warningsystem 2 and an associated warning method are provided below.

The warning system 2 further includes a central controller 22 in eitherwired or wireless communication with the identification system 14, thetrain detection system 16, the vehicle detection system 18, the displaysystem 20, an environmental detection system 24, and a crossing statussystem 26. The central controller 22 is also in either wired or wirelesscommunication with remote databases and facilities 28 including alicense database, a vehicle registration database, an enforcementdatabase, an emergency services facility and a railroad crossingmonitoring facility (including associated computer systems).

The train detection system 16 electrically detects the presence,position and speed of the train 10. The train detection system 16includes either track circuits, axle counters, or train mounted sensors.In use, the train detection system 16 is configured to continuallytransmit the position and speed of the train 10 to the controller 22when the train 10 is present within a predetermined distance of thecrossing 6, thereby enabling the controller 22 to dynamically estimatethe train arrival time at the crossing 6.

The vehicle detection system 18 electrically detects the presence,position and speed of the vehicle 4. The vehicle detection system 18includes either magnetic, radar, infrared or video proximity sensingdevices. In use, the vehicle detection system 18 is configured tocontinually transmit the position and speed of the vehicle 4 to thecontroller 22 when the vehicle 4 is present within a predetermineddistance of the crossing 6, thereby enabling the controller 22 todynamically estimate the vehicle arrival time at the crossing 6.

The road 12 includes multiple lanes 30 a, 30 b in which respectivevehicles 4 a, 4 b can travel and the warning system 2 includesrespective identification systems 14 a, 14 b and vehicle detectionsystems 18 a, 18 b. Each vehicle detection system 18 is able to detect avehicle 4 coming from either direction.

Each identification system 14 is configured to identify the number plateof the vehicle 4. Each identification system 14 includes a camera forcapturing at least one image of the vehicle 4 which can be processed toidentify the number plate.

The environmental detection system 24 detects environmental (e.g.weather) conditions proximal to the crossing 6. In particular, theenvironmental detection system detects precipitation, visibility, windspeed and road surface conditions.

The crossing status system 26 monitors the status of the railroadcrossing 2. In particular, the crossing status system 26 monitors thestatus of boom gates, lights, and bells 32 of the crossing 6. Thecrossing status system 26 can further monitor the status of a moveablevehicle impact barrier (not shown) which can extend across the road 12upon actuation of the boom gates, lights, and bells 32 to impede thevehicle 4 from crossing the railroad 8. The crossing status system 26can send a crossing status message to the controller 22.

The controller 22 includes a transceiver in wired or wirelesscommunication with the remote databases and facilities 28. In addition,the controller 22 includes an internal database for storing behavioralprofiles associated with respective vehicles 4 and possible warningmessages to be displayed on display system 20. The controller 22 isconfigured to send the crossing status message to the emergency servicesfacility or railroad crossing monitoring facility. Furthermore, thecontroller 22 is configured to send an alarm to the emergency servicesfacility or railroad crossing monitoring facility, responsive to adetermined unacceptable vehicle behaviour. The controller is alsoconfigured to determine a risk of collision between the train 10 andvehicle 4, and send the risk or an alarm to the train 10.

The display system 20 includes at least one electrical display fordisplaying the warning message. The display system 20 is configured todisplay an advertisement responsive to the train detection system 16detecting the absence of the train 10.

FIG. 2 shows a warning method 50 for displaying a warning message to thevehicle 4 approaching the railroad crossing 6.

At step 52, the warning method 50 is initiated responsive to the traindetection system 16 detecting the presence of the train 10 and thevehicle detection system 18 detecting the presence of the vehicle 4. Themethod 50 terminates responsive to detecting the absence of either thetrain 10 or vehicle 4, in which case the display system 20 displaysadvertising.

The central controller 22 or another pre-existing crossing controlleractuates the boom gates, flashing lights and bell, and actuates thevehicle impact barrier to impede the vehicle 4 from crossing therailroad 8.

At step 54, the identification system 14 captures an image of thevehicle 4 and processes the captured image to identify the number plateand vehicle type (e.g. blue VW golf) of the vehicle 4 using informationfrom the license database and vehicle registration database. Thisinformation is transmitted to the controller 22.

At step 56, the train detection system 16 detects the position and speedof the train 10 approaching the railroad crossing 6 along the railroad8. The detected position and speed of the train 10 are transmitted tothe controller 22.

At step 58, the vehicle detection system 18 detects the position andspeed of the vehicle 4 approaching the railroad crossing 6 along theroad 12. The detected position and speed of the vehicle 4 aretransmitted to the controller 22.

At step 60, the controller 22 determines a risk of a collision betweenthe train 10 and vehicle 4. The risk is determined using the positionsand speeds of the vehicle 4 and train 10 which, in turn, are used todynamically estimate the vehicle and train arrival times at the crossing6. The risk can be determined in accordance with the difference betweenthe estimated vehicle and train arrival times as indicated in the tablebelow.

|vehicle arrival time − risk train arrival time| warning message Low >30seconds CROSSING AHEAD Medium 15 to 30 seconds DANGER - SLOW DOWN High<15 seconds COLLISION IMMINENT

The controller 22 also selects a warning message to display based uponthe determined risk from the possible warning messages included in theinternal database as indicated in the table above. The severity of thewarning messages relate to the determined risk of collision, and thevehicle driver is more inclined to notice and obey changeable warningmessages. For example, a low risk may be associated with a warning,message “CROSSING AHEAD” whereas a medium risk may be associated with amore severe warning message “DANGER—SLOW DOWN”. The controller 22 alsosends the determined risk and another warning message to the train 10.

The controller also includes an indication of the number plate orvehicle type determined at step 54 within the warning message so thatthe vehicle driver is more inclined to notice and obey the personalisedwarning message (e.g. “DANGER—SLOW DOWN <insert number plate>”). Thecontroller 22 transmits the personalised warning message to be displayedto the display system 20.

At step 62, the display system 20 displays the warning message to thevehicle which was determined in accordance with the risk. The controller22 also receives the crossing status message and, in turn, can forwardit to the railroad crossing monitoring facility for display to a personmonitoring the statuses of railroad crossings of the railroad in theevent of a fault status (e.g. subsequent to a collision).

At query step 64, the controller 22 determines whether the vehicle 4 isengaging in unacceptable behaviour. A determined unacceptable behaviourcan involve determining that the risk exceeds a predetermined safe riskthreshold or that the vehicle speed exceeds a speed limit. If thevehicle 4 is not engaging in unacceptable behaviour, the method 50proceeds to step 68. If the vehicle 4 is engaging in unacceptablebehaviour, the method 50 proceeds to step 66.

At step 66, the controller 22 sends a vehicle record for storage in theremote law enforcement database and sends an alarm to the railroadcrossing monitoring facility in response to the determined unacceptablevehicle behaviour. The vehicle record includes the identifiedcharacteristics of the number plate, vehicle type and captured imagereferred to above at step 54. In this manner, the vehicle driver is moreinclined to obey the warning message so that vehicle behaviour isdetermined to be acceptable, rather than incur a fine associated withthe stored record. The method 50 then proceeds to step 68.

At query step 68, the controller 22 determines whether there has been acollision between the vehicle 4 and train 10. A collision can bedetermined if the detected vehicle position and train position areconcurrently coincident with the railroad crossing 6 and can beconfirmed using the captured image. If there has been no collision, themethod 50 returns to step 56. If there has been a collision, the method50 proceeds to step 70.

At step 70, the controller 22 sends an alarm to the emergency servicesfacility and the railroad crossing monitoring facility responsive todetermining that the vehicle 4 and train 10 have collided.

At step 72, the method 50 ends responsive to the detected collision.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments andvariations can be made without departing from the ambit of the presentinvention.

For example, in another embodiment the risk is determined at step 60using the identity characteristic (e.g. number plate, vehicle type,etc.) determined at step 54. In this manner, the controller 22corresponds the identity characteristic with an associated behavioralprofile stored in the controller's internal database, and uses thebehavioral profile to assess the risk. In yet another embodiment, therisk is determined at step 60 using environmental (e.g. weather)conditions either detected by the environmental detection system 24 orforecasted by a weather bureau and provided via the Internet. In thismanner, the risk would increase in inclement weather conditions. Therisk can be determined using fuzzy logic, expert systems or other likemachine learning techniques.

In one embodiment, the railroad 8 includes multiple lines along whichrespective trains 10 can travel, and the warning system 2 includesrespective train detection systems 16. Each train detection system 16 isable to detect the train 10 coming from either direction.

In another embodiment, the controller 22 can send information to livetraffic update systems for use with road vehicle GPS-based navigationsystems. Further, the controller 22 can send information to a nationalheavy vehicle access monitoring facility which, in turn, relays alertsto trucks traveling near the railroad crossing 6.

In yet another embodiment, the controller 22 can activate radio break-inmessaging to radios of vehicles 4.

In yet another embodiment, the controller 22 can activate advance roadwarning systems such as active rumble strips, illuminated signs orin-road lights that are mounted about the road 12 at a location wellbefore the crossing 6.

In one embodiment, the train detection system 16 can detect the positionof the train 10 approaching the railroad crossing 6 and then estimatethe train speed over time using a change in the detected position.Similarly, the vehicle detection system 18 can detect the position ofthe vehicle 4 approaching the railroad crossing 6 and then estimate thevehicle speed over time using a change in the detected position.

In one embodiment, the train detection system 16 and controller 22 canbe combined and carried onboard the train 10. The onboard controller 22can be configured to transmit the warning message in audio format to aradio of the vehicle 4 using short range radio frequency (RF)communications. In one embodiment, the controller 22 includes a globalpositioning system (GPS) unit and is configured to transmit the warningmessage when within a predetermined distance from the railroad crossing6.

The train 10 can also be fitted with a recording system including acamera arrangement for capturing and recording images of the railroadcrossing 6. At step 60 in the event of the detection of a high risk ofcollision between the train 10 and vehicle 4, the controller 22 isconfigured to record images of the railroad crossing 6 to record eithera collision or a near miss. In one embodiment, the controller 22includes a radar obstacle detector for detecting an obstacle, and isconfigured to capture and record images of the railroad crossing 6responsive to detection of the obstacle.

The onboard controller 22 is also configured to receive a video streamof the railroad crossing 6 from a camera located proximal the crossing6. The train driver can view this video stream on a display of theonboard controller 22. The video stream can be activated responsive todetermining that the GPS unit of the controller 22 is within apredetermined distance from the railroad crossing 6.

The train 10 can also be fitted with a tactile collision detector fordetecting train impact with a vehicle or other object. In oneembodiment, the controller 22 is configured to deploy one or moreairbags responsive to detecting train impact.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described inlanguage more or less specific to structural or methodical features. Itis to be understood that the invention is not limited to specificfeatures shown or described since the means herein described comprisespreferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is,therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within theproper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by thoseskilled in the art.

1. A method for displaying a warning message to a vehicle approaching arailroad crossing, the railroad crossing including a railroad alongwhich a train can travel and a road crossing the railroad and alongwhich the vehicle can travel, the method including the steps of:identifying at least one identity characteristic relating to thevehicle; detecting at least one train characteristic relating to thetrain approaching the railroad crossing along the railroad; detecting atleast one vehicle characteristic relating to the vehicle approaching therailroad crossing along the road; displaying, on an electrical display,the warning message to the vehicle subsequent to detecting both thetrain and vehicle characteristics, the warning message relating to theidentity characteristic of the vehicle.
 2. A method as claimed in claim1, wherein the identity characteristic relates to a number plate of thevehicle.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identitycharacteristic relates to the color and/or type of vehicle.
 4. A methodas claimed in claim 1, wherein the warning message relates to theidentity characteristic by being personalized to include the identitycharacteristic.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further including thestep of determining a risk of a collision between the train and vehicle.6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the risk is determined usingany one or more of: the train characteristic, the vehicle characteristicand environmental conditions.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 5, whereinthe displayed warning message is selected from a number of possiblewarning messages, with the severity of the warning messages relating tothe determined risk.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 5, furtherinvolving capturing and recording images of the railroad crossing in theevent of a high risk of collision between the train and the vehicle torecord either a collision or a near miss.
 9. A method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the displayed warning message relates to the identitycharacteristic by being determined in accordance with a determined risk,in turn, determined using the identity characteristic.
 10. A method asclaimed in claim 9, wherein the risk is determined in accordance with abehavioral profile associated with the identity characteristic.
 11. Amethod as claimed in claim 9, further including the step of storing avehicle record in an enforcement database or sending an alarm responsiveto a determined unacceptable vehicle behaviour, the vehicle recordincluding the identified characteristic.
 12. A method as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the determined unacceptable behaviour relates toeither the determined risk exceeding a predetermined risk threshold orthe determined unacceptable behaviour relates to the vehicle speedexceeding a speed limit.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 1, furtherincluding the step of sending an alarm to an emergency services facilityor a railroad crossing monitoring facility responsive to determiningthat the vehicle and train have collided.
 14. A method as claimed inclaim 1, further including the steps of: moving a vehicle impact barrierto impede the vehicle from crossing the railroad; and transmitting thewarning message in audio format to a radio of the vehicle.
 15. A methodas claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one train characteristicincludes the presence, position or speed of the train; and the at leastone vehicle characteristic includes the presence, position or speed ofthe vehicle.
 16. A warning method for displaying a warning message to avehicle approaching a railroad crossing, the method including the stepsof: identifying at least one identity characteristic relating to thevehicle; and displaying the warning message to the vehicle, the warningmessage relating to the identity characteristic of the vehicle.
 17. Amethod as claimed in claim 16, wherein the warning message relates tothe identity characteristic by being personalized to include theidentity characteristic.
 18. A method as claimed in claim 16, whereinthe displayed warning message relates to the identity characteristic bybeing determined in accordance with a determined risk, in turn,determined using the identity characteristic.
 19. A warning system fordisplaying a warning message to a vehicle approaching a railroadcrossing, the railroad crossing including a railroad along which a traincan travel and a road crossing the railroad and along which the vehiclecan travel, the system including: identification means for identifyingat least one identity characteristic relating to the vehicle; traindetection means for detecting at least one train characteristic relatingto the train approaching the railroad crossing along the railroad;vehicle detection means for detecting at least one vehiclecharacteristic relating to the vehicle approaching the railroad crossingalong the road; display means for displaying the warning message to thevehicle responsive to detecting both the train and vehiclecharacteristics, the warning message relating to the identitycharacteristic of the vehicle.
 20. A warning system for displaying awarning message to a vehicle approaching a railroad crossing, the systemincluding: identification means for identifying at least one identitycharacteristic relating to the vehicle; and display means for displayingthe warning message to the vehicle, the warning message relating to theidentity characteristic of the vehicle. 21-32. (canceled)
 33. A warningsystem for displaying a warning message to at least one moving object,the system including: risk determination means for determining a risk ofa collision between first and second moving objects; and display meansfor displaying the warning message to at least one of the movingobjects, the warning message relating to the determined risk of acollision and being one of a number of possible warning messages.